Continuing Education Requirements for
Registered Dental Hygienists in Connecticut
Connecticut licensed dental hygienists must complete continuing education as part of the license renewal process. The Connecticut Department of Public Health requires a minimum of 16 hours of qualifying continuing education during the preceding 24-month period, including required education in infection control and cultural competency.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health
How Many CE Hours Does a Connecticut Dental Hygienist Need?
Connecticut dental hygienists must complete a minimum of 16 hours of qualifying continuing education during the preceding 24-month period for license renewal. At least one hour must address infection control in a dental setting, and at least one contact hour must address cultural competency.
What Continuing Education Qualifies in Connecticut?
Examples of qualifying CE providers
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Accredited dental schools and institutions of higher education
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American Dental Association-affiliated organizations
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American Dental Hygienists’ Association-affiliated organizations
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Academy of General Dentistry
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Academy of Dental Hygiene
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American Red Cross and American Heart Association for qualifying CPR/cardiac life support programs
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Hospitals and other healthcare institutions
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State and local health departments
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Other organizations meeting the criteria established by Connecticut DPH
Dental hygienists should confirm that a specific course and provider meet Connecticut’s current requirements before relying on the course for license renewal.
What Continuing Education Qualifies in Connecticut?
Yes. Online continuing education courses may count toward Connecticut dental hygiene CE requirements when the course and provider meet Connecticut’s requirements for qualifying continuing education. Connecticut DPH specifically includes online courses among qualifying continuing education activities.
Can Volunteer Dental Practice Count Toward CE?
Yes. Eight hours of qualifying volunteer dental practice at a public health facility may be substituted for one hour of continuing education, up to a maximum of five CE hours during a 24-month period.
Volunteer CE calculation
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8 volunteer hours → 1 CE hour
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16 volunteer hours → 2 CE hours
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24 volunteer hours → 3 CE hours
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32 volunteer hours → 4 CE hours
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40 volunteer hours → maximum 5 CE hours
Volunteer practice does not replace the entire 16-hour CE requirement; it can substitute for up to five CE hours within the applicable 24-month period.
What CE Requirements Are Mandatory?
Infection Control
Connecticut dental hygienists must complete at least one hour of training or education in infection control in a dental setting during the applicable 24-month period.
Cultural Competency
Connecticut dental hygienists must complete at least one contact hour of training or education in cultural competency during the applicable 24-month period.
How Do I Document My CE Credits?
Dental hygienists should retain certificates of completion or other records demonstrating compliance with their continuing education requirements. Connecticut DPH states that records must be retained for at least three years following completion of the continuing education or license renewal, as applicable.
Practical record-keeping recommendation
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Certificate of completion
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Course title
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Provider
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Date
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Number of hours
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Any documentation associated with qualifying volunteer practice
What Continuing Education Does NOT Qualify?
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professional organizational business meetings
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speeches delivered at luncheons or banquets
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reading books, articles, or professional journals
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours does a Connecticut dental hygienist need?
16 hours during the preceding 24-month period. At least one hour must be infection-control education in a dental setting, and at least one contact hour must be cultural competency education.
Can dental hygienists take CE courses online in Connecticut?
Yes, qualifying online courses may count toward the requirement.
How many CE hours can I receive from volunteering?
Up to five CE hours per 24-month period may be substituted through qualifying volunteer dental practice, at a rate of eight volunteer hours for one CE hour.
How long should I keep my CE certificates?
At least three years, according to Connecticut DPH.
Does infection control count toward my 16 hours?
Yes. The required infection-control hour is part of the 16-hour requirement.
Does cultural competency count toward my 16 hours?
Yes. The required cultural-competency hour is part of the 16-hour requirement.
Does the Connecticut Department of Public Health approve individual CE courses?
For dental hygienists, the DPH page describes qualifying activities and providers; CDHA should direct hygienists to the current DPH requirements when determining whether a particular activity qualifies.
Official Connecticut CE Resources
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Dental Hygienist Continuing Education Requirements
Connecticut license renewal information
Connecticut statutes and regulations
CDHA provides this information as a professional resource. Connecticut dental hygienists should refer to the current Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements and applicable statutes and regulations for official licensing requirements.